Twenty-two students were inducted into the first cohort of the USG Terp Transfer Partnership (USG TTP) program on Thursday, January 24, marking the official start of the new guaranteed-admission transfer access program developed by Montgomery College (MC), University of Maryland (UM), and the Universities at Shady Grove (USG).

The program is open to students enrolled in MC and offers exclusive benefits to selected applicants who will transfer into one of three UM bachelor's degree programs at USG, including a bachelor of arts in communication, a bachelor of arts in criminology and criminal justice, and a bachelor of science in biological sciences.

The USG Terp Transfer Partnership identifies focused students at Montgomery College who have a clear vision of their education and career goals, and then the program streamlines the transfer process to a degree program at USG. In addition to guaranteed admission to a UM degree program, students will benefit from early access to UM advising and student services at USG, tuition discounts, and personalized attention as they work towards their associate's and bachelor's degree.

"I was already looking at transferring to a program at USG, but this puts me on the fast track," says Jack Edwards who completed his associate's degree in radio at MC and is entering the UM communication program at USG with a goal of working in broadcasting. "I feel good knowing exactly how the next two years are going to look."

Students in USG TTP must complete a series of requirements in order to gain admission into their UM program of choice and maintain good standing in the USG TTP program, including maintaining a 3.0 GPA at MC, meeting with a career counselor before transferring, and attending at least one academic workshop per year.

"The idea is to identify talented students and help them achieve their best by ensuring they have direct access to the resources that will help them succeed in their academics and their careers," says Michelle Marcellino, director of college park programs at USG.

As USG TTP gets underway in three degree programs during the Spring 2013 semester, UMCP, USG, and MC are exploring the possibility of launching the program in additional majors, and other USG university partners have expressed interest in developing similar initiatives.

For more information about the USG TTP program, go to http://www.shadygrove.umd.edu/usg-ttp

Reprinted with permission from The Universities at Shady Grove http://shadygrove.umd.edu/news/9337